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Grumbling storm threatens, ending another perfect start to a perfect day. North Wollongong Beach 5.45am

A 6am wakeup at North Wollongong NSW

Works of art on display now in Garigal National Park. Admission: Free Artist: Mother Nature Ghost Gum Scribbly Gum Flame Tree

I plugged this old garden pot and waterproofed it.  It's a haven for frogs, pond snails, insects and serves as drinking water for small birds. The pot contains dwarf canna lillies which love the water.  Flowering nearby are native orchids.  It's easy to do in any garden, and very rewarding.

Paddle a board  or slurp a vanilla shake after a morning stroll. Sea Poppy Café, Shelly Beach.

Gotham City sleeps  unaware The Opera House   has changed its guise.

Stealing time from sleep   to dream with eyes wide open  on a beach somewhere.

Stealing time from sleep   to dream with eyes wide open  on a beach somewhere.

Red gums and mangroves  full of life above and below  apple green water.

Beached at Manly NSW

Come hither and warm. Sun speaks to the chosen one. The envy of all.  

A little welcome rain, has enhanced the amazing colours, on the trunk of this red gum.

It's not going anywhere it hasn't been before. So what's the rush? It would be nice if it slowed down a bit, it's my favourite time of day. Searching the bush track,  awakening the tiny denizens,  lighting the tree tops.

The things you see when you don't have your camera with you.  (Just my iphone again this morning). These bush turkeys are becoming a more common sight, since baiting of foxes began, along with bandicoots and the common bunny. Oh well you can't win 'em all. I'll take my camera in future. Australian Brush-turkey, (Alectura lathami), also frequently called the Scrub Turkey or Bush Turkey, is a common, widespread species of mound-building bird from the family Megapodiidae found in eastern Australia from Far North Queensland to Illawarra in New South Wales. The Australian Brushturkey has also been introduced to Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It is the largest extant representative of the family Megapodiidae and is one of three species to inhabit Australia. Despite its name and their superficial similarities, the bird is not closely related to American turkeys , or to the Australian Bustard , which is also known as the Bush Turkey.

Good Morning from Oz. My gold was spent.  Gone in less than a minute  leaving me richer

This Grevillea is growing wild alongside the road in my neighbourhood.  I took this shot on my morning walk. If your local climate can accommodate these beautiful Australians,  heres a link to growing them  GREVILLEA GROWING

I didn't have to venture far this morning before coming across this friendly King Parrot.  I'm pretty sure it's the same one who visits my garden.  He's very tame.  This is taken with my iPhone, so you can see I'm pretty close. The Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis) is  found in humid and heavily forested upland regions of the eastern portion of the continent, including eucalyptus wooded areas in and directly adjacent to subtropical and temperate rainforest. They feed on fruits, seeds or small insects.

I spent this morning reviewing some shots taken of Catherine Hill Beach during the Christmas break. The surrounding area was devastated by bush fires during October, just a few weeks ago. It was so intense, it leapt down onto the beach and burnt several pylons of the old coal wharf. Of more concern to the locals was The Catho Pub. A 133 year old favourite drinking hole.  Loyal firefighters saved it yet again.

Jan 2.  I hope you enjoy the display we experienced this year on Sydney Harbour.  This video was shot from Cremorne Point, opposite the Opera House.